Sure, SEO (search engine optimization) is essential for your website to rank well in the SERPS so that potential customers find you – but what happens when they actually get there? Without effective web design, your visitors are likely to leave the moment they arrive. Today, the internet is a fiercely competitive business arena, so your website must stand apart! It should capture your visitor’s attention immediately, so naturally it should be appealing to the eye.
Here are 5 key components of web design that will help you reach a greater level of success:
Graphics, or “eye candy.” While graphics aren’t essential for your website to be usable and functional, they’re important for supporting your brand and communicating your message. Suppose there are sites similar to yours that make effective use of graphics – guess who will get more traffic? People enjoy elements that are pleasing to the eye.
Original, valuable content. Content is perhaps the most important component of web design. Your visitors expect to be informed, provided with solutions or even entertained. Unique content that is well-written, free of grammatical or spelling errors and up-to-date is crucial for your success.
Aesthetics, or visual appeal. Professional websites aren’t just a bunch of words and pictures thrown together in a willy-nilly fashion. The design of your site should be clean and uncomplicated; your visitor should be able to explore your website easily. The color palette you choose also plays a vital role in the visual appeal of your website, and even the mood or “feel” of your site.
Easy navigation. This is pretty self-explanatory. Make your website easy to navigate, so your visitors aren’t left guessing how to get to where they want to go! Navigation should be consistent and intuitive; provide a search tool in a conspicuous area on your website.
SEO. Keywords, page titles, strong inbound links and other search engine optimization tactics are essential if you want search engines to display your website in search results and want visitors to find you. While you can always buy advertising, ranking naturally, or “organically”, for your search terms brings in abundant – and free – traffic.
While this isn’t an all-inclusive list, these are 5 of the most essential components of successful web design. How does the design of your website stack up?
